E-Paper
India showcases its higher education at NAFSA 2005
India showcased its higher education potential at the 57th annual conference of NAFSA at Seattle, writes Manisha Sharma.
It is an irony that at the same time when UK imposes sanctions on issuing visas to "young, single and of marriageable age", that the 57th annual conference of NAFSA, Association of International Educators takes place at Washington State Convention & Trade Center in Seattle, Washington from May 29 to June 3, 2005.
"40 educators from 15 universities and educational institutes of India represented India in the conference" said Dr. Neela Dabir, Reader in the Department of Family and Child Welfare at Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai. She was one of those who played a key role in organizing the Indian representation at the conference.
"30 people alone were from the Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai", said an enthusiastic Dr. Dabir. In response to the part India played in comparison with other participants, she said, "our presentation was at par with those of other countries, but we definitely have scope for improvement."
Dr. Pawar of USEFI, United States Educational Foundation in India, Mr. Vivek and Mr. Jain of Federation of Jain Educational Institutes led the session on India's policies for promoting international education, held on 3 June from 11:15 to 12:30 am. Their presentation insights were about India being a good destination for international students.
They also highlighted the Fulbright scholarship program and financial aid for students. These interactive sessions were a keynote of the conference. The Indian educational scene was showcased under the session, "India's Policies for Promoting International Education: Inviting Global Community" on 3 June. Due to some last minute changes Prof. Arun Nigavekar, chairman UGC, Prof. Mushirul Hasan, the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, Dr. P.J.Lavakare, the former Executive Director of USEFI, United States Educational Foundation in India and presently Country Partner for Institute of International Education, India and Prof. Kota Harinarayana, Vice Chancellor, University of Hyderabad who were earlier scheduled to present, could not.
Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, United Nations was one of the distinguished speakers of the plenary session.
Mr Dilip Walse Patil, Minister for Higher & Technical Education, Medical Education and Energy, Government of Maharashtra and Dr. Joyce Shankaran, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra were among the other dignitaries from India present at the conference.
The theme for this year's conference "Opening Minds to the Global community" opened up various opportunities and challenges for international education and exchange. International Education Expo featured as one of the chief programs of the conference. Besides 51 pre-conference workshops, 180 educational sessions and programs for leaders, there were approximately 300 exhibits by representatives of various countries at the international expo.
Federation of Jain Educational Institutes through the Poster exhibition talked about the opportunities foreign students can avail to study in India and vise versa. The UGC booth informed about Indian government's policies and initiatives on college and university education for international students.
Other educational institutes from India focused on the opportunities for foreign students, availability of educational loans etc. through effective power point presentations. University Grants Commission, Federation of Jain Educational Institutes, Welingkar Institute of Management, Jadavpur University and Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited set up their booths at the Expo that showcased India's vision in the field.
The annual event attracts more than 5000 participants from more than 70 countries. NAFSA, Association of International Educators ushered on the US scene in 1948, at a time when the world was actively progressing towards being a global village, which necessitated advanced learning and cultural exchange and knowledge of diverse societies and cultures.
The objective of the Association of International Educators as stated is "to promote the professional development of American college and university officials responsible for assisting and advising the 25,000 foreign students who had come to study in the United States after World War II."
Formerly known as National Association of Foreign Student Advisers and National Association of Foreign Student Affairs, NAFSA's scope kept on expanding and the association now includes leaders in education from all around the world, which provides for a rich and homogenous think tank. It would not be an exaggeration to call NAFSA a synonym for international education and exchange.
